Community leaders told Action News Jax Courtney Cole they want city leaders to take crime more seriously by: closing the gun show loophole in Duval County, requiring a waiting period and background check for firearms being sold and by establishing a Community Advocacy Commission to work more closely in high-crime areas.

"We demand that our leaders take this seriously and create the change that we need to make Florida a safer place,” said Bonnie Hendrix, Co-Captain of Women’s March Florida Jacksonville.

“The violence hasn’t really stopped and that’s why we’re out here -- to show our support for the community leaders,” Peterson told Action News Jax.

In December 2017, Ariyan Johnson and her child's father were shot and killed. Their Christmas tree inside their Woodland Acres home was also set on fire. The smoke killed his 11-month-old granddaughter Arielle.

“When I was growing up we had problems in the city of Jacksonville. But it wasn’t like this extensive way it is right now,” Peterson said.

Peterson said news of the deadly shooting at Raines High School and at the Jacksonville Landing —was devastating.

“They think it’s easier just to pull the trigger and kill someone, but no one ever thinks of the consequences of the lives you affect and the family members your affect after these lives are gone,” said Peterson.

He went on to tell Action News Jax he think the solution to gun violence doesn’t necessarily stand and end with increasing police presence—but instead, turning the focus to improving the affected communities from within.

“Have after school programs, get these kids involved where they don’t have to be out here in the streets wanting to pull the trigger. Help educate their minds!”

AJ Jordan of MAD DADS Jacksonville told Action News Jax gun owners also play a big part in cutting down on the crime as well. The activist organization is calling on gun owners to be more responsible and follow the #9PMRoutine advocated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

305 guns stolen from unlocked cars so far in 2018. We need your help. Do the #9PMRoutine to help us fight crime. Don’t be number 306 when you wake up in the morning.